Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Bramble

BRAMBLE, the Common, or Rubus fruticosus, L. a species of the raspberry bush, which grows wild in hedges, and has three varieties, one of which bears white fruit.—See With. 469. There are several other species indigenous in England; as the saxatilis, or stone bramble, the arcticus, or dwarf crimson bramble, the chamæmorus, or mountain bramble, by some called cloud-berry, and the corylifolius, or hazel-leaved bramble.

The bad effects of the fruit of the bramble, when eaten too freely, have already been mentioned under the article Blackberry. In Provence, it is employed in the colouring of wine. The Russians mix the berries of the saxatilis with honey, which, when fermented, is a pleasant beverage. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit of the bramble; and a syrup and jelly prepared from it, are used as gentle astringents. The leaves afford several colours in dyeing.

As this plant is of quick growth, it may be advantageously employed for inclosures; because it defends the young quick-set hedge from sheep, and by intertwining itself with a dead hedge, preserves it from injury. The usual method of planting it, is in two rows upon the bank, the lower of bramble, and the upper of white-thorn.